Congratulations – you were just invited to go whitewater rafting! Now what?

You might be feeling nervous, and the questions are racing through your mind: Am I old enough? Am I young enough? Am I fit enough? Do I have the right gear? Will I be going down *gulp* WATERFALLS?

Do not worry – these questions go through everyone’s mind. You will do great. The South Fork of the American River rafts over 65,000 individuals of all ages and abilities every SEASON. Whitewater rafting is a great addition to any vacation. if you have the opportunity to go, it is good to be cautious, but don’t let your fear get in the way of this amazing adventure experience.

Here are fourteen easy steps to make your trip a breeze:

1. Take a deep breath, and RELAX! If you are rafting with a professional company, then you are in great hands. These people are experts, they know what they are doing, and they know how to get you down a river safely.

2. Go with a “can-do” attitude. It is perfectly normal to be nervous, as this is a new experience, but don’t be “that guy” who complains the whole time. Just take a deep breath, and take it all in.

3. Rafting, like the rest of the world, has different seasons. What you WEAR depends on the season:

Springtime rafting tends to be cooler. Check with your choice outfitter, but plan on wearing layers. A thin wetsuit may be appropriate, but more than likely, you will need wetsuit booties or wool socks combined with strap-on sandals or old tennis shoes, a wool top, shorts, a splash jacket or other form of dry top, and maybe even a wool cap.

Summer rafting, on the other hand, can be significantly warmer. We still recommend strap-on sandals or old tennis shoes, and be sure to wear shorts over your swimsuit. Rubber, water, and swimsuits are a slippery equation, and your swimsuit may not want to stay where it is intended, so layering is still a good idea. Other clothing recommendations include a t-shirt, a hat, and sunglasses. Some rafting outfitters require helmets, which means you may or not be able to wear that hat.

4. Regardless of the season, or what you think your needs are, wear SUNSCREEN! All-natural or biodegradable sunscreen is the most environmentally-friendly if you are embarking on any kind of water sport. Be sure to avoid PABA, octinoxate, oxybenzone, 4- methylbenzylidene camphor and the preservative butylparaben, if you want to have the lowest possible impact on the environment.

5. Bring appropriate shoes! Shoes on the river must strap to your feet (those foam straps on the back of Crocs do not count!) Some good bets for shoe brands include Keen, Chaco and Teva. You can also wear water booties with a sole, or old tennis shoes. While no outfitter plans for you to go for a swim, it is good to have proper footwear in case you do go for an unexpected dip.

6. Trust the GEAR. You will be wearing top-of-the-line personal floatation devices (PFDs). In nearly all instances these are Class V Coast Guard-approved flotation devices, which are the highest quality PFDs on the market. Rafts themselves are some of the toughest boats on the water, as they are made to commercial standards with commercial-quality materials.

7. COMMIT to the rafting experience. If the guide gives you the opportunity to jump in the river, go for it! Remember, they would not suggest anything that is unsafe, and this may be your only chance ever to swim a rapid in a river canyon. The last thing you would want is to walk away from your rafting vacation with regrets.

8. You have a responsibility not only for what TO do, but for what NOT to do. Believe it or not, a towel is not a necessary piece of equipment for a rafting trip, as it will just get wet. Keep it in the car and you will appreciate it at the end of the day! Suntan oil is a bad idea as well – the whole oil/skin/rubber equation can definitely result in some unplanned swimming. Obviously drinking prior to the trip is a huge NO, as are drugs and cigarettes.

9. With over 33 rafting companies on the South Fork of the American River ALONE, there are plenty of options to choose from. Prices tend not to vary by more than $10 from one company to the next, but each one offers a slightly different vibe and energy. Bottom line? Go with the company that makes you feel the most comfortable.

10. Relax – waterfalls are NOT a part of the typical rafting experience. There may be a drop somewhere along the way, but falls themselves are not on rafting routes. And remember – these boats are built for this!

11. Yes, chances are, you are FIT enough. This is not an olympic paddle crew timed trial. You will be pulling your weight, along with five or six other people.

12. Your trip will be GUIDED by a professional. You will have a trained, competent guide steering the raft and telling you what to do. Just be sure to listen!

13. Age CAN be a factor, so check with the company with whom you are rafting. There are rivers where tighter age ranges do come into play.

14. Finally, do not let any PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS get in the way of your trip, because you will probably LOVE it! We have sent young children down the river with their grandparents, and people of all ages love this sport. You can join in on the fun, too!

As the leading provider of outdoor tours of the South Fork of the American River, Action Whitewater Adventures (AWA), is your primary source for all things rafting. Family-owned and family-run, they also deliver outdoor education programs through their sister company, Nature’s-Classroom.